Draft mechanism



June 17, 1930. c. T. RAY

DRAFT MECHANISM Filed oct. 1s. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l MMM.. i Q

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June 17, 1930. c. T. RAY 1,764,086

DRAFT MECHANISM v Filed oct. 1s, 1927 zvsneets-sheet 2 Patented June 17, 1930 PTT OFFICE CHARLES T. RAY, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO B. F. AVERY @a SONS, OF LOUISVLLE, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY DRAFT MECHANISM.'

Application led. October 13, 1927. Serial No. 226,009.

The important object of this invention is the provision of a draft mechanism which will, when draft is applied, become rigid relative to the frame of the means, as a disk plow, for example, to which the draftmechanism is applied and will remain so until the draft ceases to be applied, at which time the draft mechanism will automatically assume a pivotal connection with said frame and provide a most efficient means for turning or guiding` the plow or other means to which` the draft mechanism is applied, around corners.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a draft mechanism which is strong and durable, comparatively simple in construction, and eiiicient in operation.

The accompanying` drawings illustrate an embodiment in which the foregoing objects are attained by means which are of most practicable nature. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the relative position of the parts when draft is not applied thereto and the draft member accordingly is free to pivot;

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation, partially in longitudinal section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 showing the relative position of the parts when draft is applied and the draft member accordingly is locked rigid with the frame; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing in full lines the relative positions of the parts when draft in a forward direction is applied and in dotted outline the position of the draftI men ber when draft in a forward direction is not applied and the vehicle is being turned toward the left.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the draft member which comprises an upper member 11 and a lower member 12.

The members 11 and 12, as illustrated, are in face contact for a short distance from their forward ends and secured together by means of bolts or similar devices 18.

The secured portions of members 11 and 12 together with a portion of member 11 rearwardly of the secured portion are slightly inclined upwardly from the general horizontal position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The member 12 has a portion thereof inclined downwardly from its position of contact with the member l1 as indicated at 14 and the rear portions of members 11 andV 12, for substantially one-half their length are in parallel vertical spaced relation, as indicated at 15.

Secured to the front ends of the members 11 and 12 is a plate 16 whose lower end is apertured to receive the front end of the draft rod 17, which rod at its rear end has a hooked engagement with the member 12 as indicated at 18 and at its front end is provided with a hook 19 to receive eveners of any well known construction.

Clamped to the frame A, which may be of any well known construction, is a pair of substantially V-shaped castings 21 and 22 provided with horizontally disposed abutting flanges 23 and 24 which through the forward ends of which extends a suitable fastening such as a stud bolt 25. The rear portions of the castings are provided with members 26 and 27 formed to provide a channel bounded by upper and lower lips which respectively engage over the upper and under the lower edges of a transversely disposed bar 28 of the frame A. Adjacent the ends of the channel members, the castings are provided with vertically aligned apertured lugs 29 and 30 to receive suitable securing members 31, which rmly unite the Castings with the frame and in co-operation with the flanges 23 and 24 and stud 25 secure the castings rigidly together.

The members 11 and 12 are longitudinally slotted adjacent their rear ends as indicated at 32 and 33 to receive the opposite ends of a. pin 811 which is maintained against the frame by means of the castings and is secured against longitudinal movement by cotters 84a. i

The pin 34 provides a pivot between the draft member and the frame A.

Extending vertically through the members 11 and 12 and secured thereto forwardly of the pin 34 is a pin or bolt 35 which is surrounded by a collar or sleeve 36.

Pivotally secured to y the frame as by means of the pin 34E is a spring attaching mslip 37 and rigidly secured to the members i a wheel 46. 20A

1l and l2 as by means of the rear bolt 13 is a second-spring attaching clip 38 which carries an adjustable eye bolt 39. Secured to the clip 37 and the eye bolt 39 is a coil spring 4.0 which is normally under tension and accordingly tends to pull members ll and 12 rearwardly with respect to the frame.

Rigidly secured to the member 12 is an aperti-iredV lug or bracket 4l to receive the hooked end 42 of the guide rod 43. The hooked connection of the guide rod provides a pivotal connection between the draft member and guide rod.

The opposite end of the guide rod 43 is pivotallyconnected to an arm 44 which in turn is rigidly connected to the ranleon; the spindle end of which is mounted vAs is illustrated 43,.is madevin two parts and connected together intermediate its ends by a two-piece connector-47 by means of which the guide rod can beadjusted in length.

As will be noted particularly upon reference to Fig. 3, the before-mentioned substantially .V-shaped castings are at the apex thereof provided with a recess adapted to snugly receive `the sleeve 36 and the sides of the castings rearwardly of the recess are each provided with a slight angle as clearly shown in Fig.` 3.

In operation of the mechanismrabove described, when draft is applied by a team ror` tractor, the draft member l0 slides. forward until the sleeve 36 enters the recess inV the castings 21" and 22 which vlocks the draft member against pivotal movement and upon continuedI application of draft, the

.draft memberA will be retained against pivotal movement and the line of draft will accordingly be straight forward. When draft ceases to be applied by the team or tractor, the tensioned spring 40v drawsthe `draft member backward, thereby -moving vsleeve 36. out of the recess whereupon the draft member isr free to pivot about the pin VVVhen the draft member is-in pivotal posi- .tionit transmits movement through the guide rod plow. n

It will thus be seen that a comparatively 43 to the wheel 46 for guiding the simple mechanism is provided-whereby upony continued application ofv draft no pivotal connection exists between the. draft member and frame of the plow and hence ,the line ofk draft-and consequently of the' plow will be straight forward, but upon cessation of v. draft, the draft member vand consequently the plow can be eiiiciently tur-ned.y n

While I have set forth the invention particularly in. relation to plows, I would'have,

it understood that it is not intended'thereby lto restrict its application to plows,- exclusive.

in Fig. l, the guide rod ly, since it is adaptable in principle, insofar ments of the draft member, constituting parts of this-invention, may be usefully applied. I would, however, have it understood that the invention was primarily designed for use upon plows, and more particularly upon disk plows, and that it has particular and special advantage in its described relationship with that 'particular kind of agricultural implements.

What I, claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Y l. A draft mechanism` comprising, in combination, a draft Vmember mounted to have advancing and retracting movements and also to havey pivotal movement, relatively to the means drawn through the medium of said mechanism, means vautomatically engageable with each other by the advancing movement of the draft member when draft in a forward direction. is applied to said member and when so engaged cci-operating to hold the draft member against ,pivotal movement, and means operative upon cessation of the draft to retract the draft member automatically and thereby disengage the holding means and leave the draft member free for pivotal movement.

' 2. A draft mechanism comprising, in combination, a draft member mounted to have advancing and ietracting movements and also to have pivotal movementrelatively to the means drawn through the medium of said mechanism, means automatically engageable with each other by the advancing movement of the draft member when rdraft in a forward direction is applied to said i member and when so engaged ofi-operatingv to hold the draft member against pivotal movement, and a spring placed under tension by the advancing movement of the draft member relatively to said first vmentioned.

member to lock the draft member; automatically against pivotal movement when draft in a forward direction is applied to the draft member, and means operative upon the cessation of said draft to release said relatively movable elements from each other and thereby free the draft member for pivotal movement.

4. The combination with a means which includes a frame and a ground engaging guiding wheel, of a draft mechanism comn prising a member mounted to have pivotal and longitudinal movements relatively to said frame, means automatically engageable with each other by forward longitudinal movement of said member relatively to the frame when draft in a forward direction is applied to said member and when so engaged co-operating to lock said member against pivotal movement, means operative automatically to disengage the locking means to thereby free said member for pivotal movement upon cessation of the draft in a forward direction, and a connection between said member and the guide wheel operative to impart steering movement to the latter from pivotal movement of the member.

5. A draft mechanism including a casting to be secured to the frame of a means to be drawn through the medium of said draft mechanism and provided with a pin projecting above and below its upper and lower faces, said casting further provided with a pin seating portion, a longitudinally movable draft member adapted to pivot about said pin and comprising a pair of members, having their rear portions spaced apart vertically to engage the upper and lower faces of the casting respectively and formed with slots to receive the ends of said pin, and a pin carried by said draft member' and movable into said pin-seating portion automatically when draft is applied to the draft member, to thereby lock said member against pivotal movement, the pin and pinseating portion being also relatively formed to permit their disconnection from each other automatically upon cessation of the draft.

6. A draft mechanism, comprising a V- shaped casting to be secured to the frame of a means to be drawn through the medium of said mechanism, said casting provided with a guide pin positioned to be adjacent said frame, a draft member provided with a slot to receive said guide pin, a pin carried by said draft member within said casting between the apex thereof and said guide pin, a tension spring secured to said draft member and said guide pin and operative to normally hold said pin out of engagement with the apex of said casting to maintain a pivotal connection of said draftl member with said frame through said guide pin, said pin upon application of draft adapted to engage within the apex of said casting to establish a rigid connection between said draft member and frame. f

7. A draft mechanism, comprising a substantially V-shaped member to be secured to the frame of a means to be drawn through the medium of said mechanism, said V- shaped member provided with a guide pin and a sleeve seating portion forwardly thereof, a draft member provided with a slot to receivesaid guide pin and a sleeve to engage said sleeve seating portion upon application of draft, and a tension spring secured to said guide pin and draft member and operative to retract said sleeve from engagement with said sleeve seating portion upon cessation of draft.

V8. The combination with a structure having a frame and a ground engaging steering wheel, of a draft mechanism therefor, comprising a V-shaped casting secured to said frame, a draftmember comprising upper and lower portions engaging the upper and lower faces of said casting, said portions having a sliding pivotal connection with said casting,` a sleeve carried by said portions adapted upon application of draft to engage within the apex of said casting to establish a rigid connection between the draft member' and frame, a tension spring to hold said sleeve out of engagement with said apex when draft is not applied whereby a pivotal connection between said draft member and frame is established and a connection between said draft member and wheel to turn the wheel when said draft member is in pivotal connection.

9. A draft mechanism comprising a casting to be secured to the' frame of a Vstructure which also includes a ground engaging steering wheel, a draft member having a sliding pivotal connection with said casting and means carried by said draft member to engage a restricted portion of said casting upon application of draft to establish a rigid connection between said draft member and casting, a tension spring adapted upon cessation of draft to withdraw said means from engagement with said restricted portion to establish a pivotal connection between said dra t member and casting, and a connection between said draft member and said steering wheel and operative to turn said wheel when said draft member is in pivotal connection.

10. The combination with a structure to be drawn including a frame and a ground engaging wheel, of a draft mechanism comprising a V-shaped casting secured to said frame, said casting provided with a guide pin projecting beyond the upper and lower faces thereof, and a semi-cylindrical sleeve seating portion at the apex thereof, a draft member comprising upper and lower portions in engagement with the upper and lower Vfaces kof said casting and each provided with a slot toV receive saidpin, said portions provided yjointly with a :sleeve adapted upon application of draft to engage said seating portion, `to establish a rigid connection between said draft member and frame, atension spring secured to said draft member and pin and operative upon cessation of draftV to retract said sleeve through said. slots in said portions to establish a pivotal connection between said draft member and frame, and connection between said draft member and wheel through which said structure is guided from said draft member.

11. The combination according to claim 10 and wherein said il-shaped casting comprises upper and lower portions relatively Y lformed toprovide a channel to receive a. ymember of said frame, said portions of the casting also having fiangesin abutting relationship with each other, and securing means extending through said flanges whereby the two portions are secured together and to the frame.

12. The combination according to claim 10 and wherein said draft member comprises upper and lower portions which are vertically spaced apart have their rear ends to engage said casting and vat their forward ends in engagement and secured together, a vertically extending plate secured to the forward ends of said portions and a draft rod vsecured to said lower portion and eX- tending through said plate.

.13. A draft mechanism'comprising Aa V- shaped member to be secured to the frame of a means to be drawn through the medium of the Vdraft mechanism, a draft member mounted to have slidingand pivotal movements relatively to said frame, va membery carried by said draft member and adapted 'upon application of draft yin a forward direction to engage said V-shaped Vmember and therewith to provide automatically a yrigid connection between said draft member f' and frame, and a tension spring to retract said member carried by said draft member automatically uponY cessation of the draftV and thereby establish a pivotal connection between said Vdraft member and frame.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

CHARLES T. RAY. 

